15 Offensive Halloween Costumes You Should Never Wear

Halloween is one of the best times of the year. Costumes, candy, carving — what could be better? Given the fun-filled spirit of the season, it's worth ensuring that you and everyone around you has a great time. So, take a second and check out the Halloween costumes you should avoid this year (and every year).

1. A Holocaust victim

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In the past, celebrities — more than one! — have been called out for dressing up as Nazis on Halloween. Know what's just as bad? Dressing up as a Nazi's victim. Several retailers recently came under firefor selling an "Anne Frank" costume for little girls. Some places have pulled it after customers complained, but other online stores continue to offer it as "World War II Evacuee Girl" or "Child's 1940s Girl Costume." Needless to say, anyone who went through such a tragedy deserves more respect.

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2. Anything involving blackface

First thing's first. It's not — we repeat, not — okay to dress up in blackface for Halloween. It's so easy to dress up as one of your favorite celebrities without being offensive!

3. Transphobic costumes

This "tranny granny" costume was pulled from Walmart after facing backlash from consumers who pointed out that it mocks and satirizes transgender women — in addition to using a transphobic slur. While this one is especially offensive, any costume intended to insult trans people — such as this Caitlyn Jenner costume from a couple years ago — should be avoided.

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4. A refugee

With the Syrian refugee crisis frequently in the news, there may be folks who think this is a good, topical story to take inspiration from, but it's so important to remember that it deeply impacts the lives of millions of people. Other people's very real struggles are not costume fodder.

5. Body-shaming and objectifying costumes

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When it comes to disrespecting women, this costume is a double whammy of awful. It not only reduces women to sex objects, but it makes a woman's weight into a joke. In the age of body positivity, haven't we grown past this?

6. Cultural stereotypes

When someone dresses up as a member of a culture that isn't their own, particularly in an exaggerated or "humorous" way, it can be hurtful to those who do belong. Skip the thick mustache/poncho combo, the headdresses, the kimono, the — well, you get it. If it would make an offensive mascot, it would make an offensive costume.

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7. A terrorist

Whether it's a member of ISIS or someone who's committed a horrifying mass shooting, we can all agree that it is a 100% bad idea to dress up as a terrorist. While we're at it, let's cross dictators like Hitler off the list, too.

8. Zombie versions of recently deceased celebrities

We've lost a lot of entertainment icons recently, so it's understandable if you're inspired to pay tribute to them in costume form. Dressing up in their iconic outfits is one thing, but a dead — or undead, a.k.a. zombie — version brings to mind the phrase "too soon."

9. An eating disorder

10. Animal cruelty

We were hoping to forget the awful dentist who slaughtered Cecil the lion and this terrible costume that was created as a result, but with the recent news that Cecil's son was also killed, we're afraid horrible costume ideas like this will pop up again.

Costumeish via Mashable

11. O.J. Simpson and Nicole Simpson

Between Simpson's recent parole and the popularity of last year's miniseries The People v. O.J. Simpson, it's likely that there will be more than a few people who use it as inspiration for their Halloween costumes. Probably not the best look.

12. A mentally ill person

Wearing a straightjacket, as well as any other equipment typically associated with the institutionalization of someone with a mental illness, trivializes how devastating these conditions can be.

13. Sexual harassment

Flasher jokes go back decades, but someone exposing themselves on unwitting viewers is a very real and often traumatic form of sexual harassment, which isn't the least bit funny.

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14. A homeless person

Adults, teens and even children dress up as "hobos" every year, but in reality, homelessness is a devastating circumstance that affects millions, including kids. There are so many other (better) costumes you can choose!

15. A national tragedy

Remember those two people who dressed up as the Twin Towers after 9/11? Yeah, don't do that.

So wrong & inappropriate! More than just a cosplay fail, it's foul. Cosplaying as the Twin Towers 9/11 = Disgusting pic.twitter.com/1dIphxArkX